Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: On Wednesday, the town of Chaudi in Canacona, Goa, was abuzz with excitement as the Shivsmarak Cultural and Sports Club, in collaboration with the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, hosted a grand celebration to honour the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The festivities, which began at 9 am, were a testament to the enduring legacy of the legendary Maratha king.
The day commenced with Purohit Sarvesh Hegde performing a puja at the Shiv Smarak outside the KTC Bus Stand, where he anointed the statue of Shivaji Maharaj and lit the Shiv Jyot. This sacred ritual was followed by the offering of floral garlands by prominent dignitaries, including Canacona MLA and Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar and CCM Chairperson Sara Shambha Naik Desai. Local councillors and executives of the Shiv Smarak Mandal were also in attendance, underscoring the community’s unity and respect for the historical figure.
A grand procession was the centrepiece of the celebrations, starting from Chaudi and winding its way through various locations such as Nagarcem, Char-Rasta, Palolem-Qurem junction, Sawantwada School, Devgipurush Auditorium Patnem, and culminating at the Mallikarjuna Devasthan in Shristhal. This procession symbolized the community’s pride and unity in honouring Shivaji Maharaj.
In the afternoon, a Shiv Jayanti-themed fancy dress competition was held at Ravindra Bhavan, catering to children in two age groups: 3 to 10 years and 10 to 16 years. The competition aimed to engage the younger generation in the rich cultural heritage associated with Shivaji Maharaj, with cash prizes and certificates awarded to the winners.
The evening session featured a theatrical performance titled ‘Swarajya Surya,’ presented by the Ganeshotsav Mandal and Shivsmarak Cultural & Sports Club, Chaudi, in collaboration with the Gajantlaxmi Sports and Cultural Club, Ponda. This play, written by Vithal Nagesh Parwadkar and directed by Hemchandra Narayan Tari, was staged at the Lata Mangeshkar Kalangan, Sanjay Bandekar Sabhagruha, Ravindra Bhavan, Canacona. The event concluded with a Shiv Jayanti ceremony and prize distribution, with Ramesh Tawadkar as the chief guest.
